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BULLET HOLES 


A Record of Records 

Compiled by 
DOUGLAS B . WESSON 

To 

THE UNITED STATES 
REVOLVER ASSOCIATION 

Which has been the prime mover in 
raising the shooting percentages 
for pistols and revolvers 
in the United States, 
and keeping a 
clean sport 
clean. 


Acknowledgment is made to Messrs. Gould, Greener, Kepheardt, 
Himmelwright and Sec.-Treas. Crabtree, of the United States Revolver 
Association for the information and data in this book. 







\ 


V J 



\ 



The Home of the Springfield Revolver Club, Springfield, Mass. 
Three times winners of the U. S. R» A. Indoor League Matches. 

.* * I 
• * 

C « « 

V • 


/ 

JUL 14 1915 

©Cl. A 406722 

'7-vo I ■ 



FOREWORD 


I T is a fact recognized the world over, that in no field of 
endeavor has American genius reached a higher level 
than that shown in the development in this country 
of the revolver and pistol. For sixty-two years the Wesson 
family of Springfield, Mass., has been engaged in the manu¬ 
facture of firearms. By them metallic cartridges were first 
commercially manufactured; and in their factory the first 
repeating rifle was developed. Although many individual 
shooters in Europe were using SMITH Sc WESSON arms 
when the American team won the pistol and revolver events 
at the Olympic games in London in 1908, the United States 
team was the only team, as such, using this make of arm. 
In 1912, at Stockholm, the victorious Americans again 
used the same arm; and three foreign teams followed the 
example set by this country four years before, and used 
SMITH Sc WESSON pistols. 

Smith & Wesson has been awarded the highest medal 
in every exposition in which their arms have been shown; 
every one of the forty-two pistol records recognized by the 
United States Revolver Association, has been made with a 
SMITH Sc WESSON pistol; SMITH Sc WESSON revol¬ 
vers have never been defeated in any authentic tests for accu¬ 
racy, endurance, rust or sand, and the British War Office has 
recently declared them to be the most perfect revolvers in 
the world, and of faultless design and construction. This 
is an unparalleled record. In the following pages are noted 
some of the incidents which have attended this remarkable 
development of American manufacture. 

Springfield, 

April, 1915. 


\ 

I 


Copyright 1915 
By SMITH & WESSON 


BULLET HOLES 


THE DARK AGES 

When Roger Bacon mixed together sulphur, saltpetre, 
and powdered charcoal and applied fire to the compound, 
the results surprised him; in fact, it would be safe to say 
he was fairly taken off his feet. 

What the gentle monk was striving to obtain was a mix¬ 
ture of chemicals that could be set blazing and thrown into 
an enemy’s camp or house where it would continue to 
burn with great vigor and enthusiasm, resisting all efforts 
towards extinguishing. Greek fire was at that time very 
popular for the purpose. 

When or where the compound he produced was first used 
to eject a missile from a tube is lost in the ages; but we 
know that in 1700 the highest development was a short, 
heavy gun of about one inch bore, and rifled by guess. 

The first rifling was made in about 1500, and was straight 
to allow room for the powder ash, so the bullet in reloading 
would not require too much force to seat. The charge was 
ignited by a flint, which represents the only marked improve¬ 
ment since the origin—barring improvements in manufac¬ 
ture—as some of the arms of this date are of beautiful design, 
workmanship and ornamentation. 

The beauty was the arm’s main point, however, for 
its shooting qualities were practically nil—in fact, as late 
as 1775 a strong movement was started to put a regiment 
in the field armed with the English long bow, as it would 
shoot farther and with much greater accuracy. This was 
the suggestion of Benjamin Franklin and he made a strong 
address to the Continental Congress to support his stand. 
The comparatively small calibered, close shooting, Ken¬ 
tucky rifle, beloved by thousands of authors, and imbued 
with miraculous possibilities by them, carried by Boone 
and Crockett, had, however, made its appearance and 
prevented the retrogression advocated by B. Franklin. 

It will never be decided whether the development of this 
arm was due to Yankee thrift or Southern dislike of needless 
labor; but be that as it may, the compelling causes were 


3 








BULLET HOLES 


necessity of preventing waste of ammunition and ability to 
carry sufficient ammunition for a considerable period with¬ 
out over-burdening oneself, and these points were arrived 
at by securing an accurate arm of small caliber. 

These rifles were developed to their fullest extent by 1760 
and in the hands of the American troops worked havoc with 
the enemy. And there was the beginning of the reputation 
American troops have held for straight shooting. And for 
the most basic of all reasons—their guns would shoot 
straight! 

And now that arms were made that would, at least 
approximately, “shoot where you held ’um,” rivalry began 
to spring up as to who could “hold ’um” best; the real 
beginning of marksmanship as we know it to-day. 

All this history of rifles doesn’t seem to bear on the ques¬ 
tion of pistol and revolver shooting to any marked extent, 
but it is interesting—-and very easy to skip. It also serves 
to place very accurately the date of the birth of close 
shooting. 

But pistols—single shot, muzzle loading, flint lock 
pistols—were, even then, only a forlorn hope, a last desper¬ 
ate chance, to fire and then throw. An interesting fact, that 
will serve to illustrate the slowness of development of the 
pistol, is the record of the taking of a Highlander pistol from 
a British soldier at Lexington Green, April 19, 1775, and this 
pistol which was carried by him as regular equipment was 
from seventy-five to one hundred years old on that date. 

Imagine a soldier of the present period going into 
battle with side arms of the vintage of 1815 to 1845. 

Another interesting fact that has no bearing on the sub¬ 
ject of target shooting (as it is believed he missed) is that 
the first shot of the War of the Revolution, fired by Major 
Pitcairn at Captain Parker’s men on Lexington Green, was 
fired from a pistol. 

The duelling pistol of that date was a somewhat different 
proposition as it was made with accuracy as the prime 
feature. And as a pair of these arms brought from one 
hundred and fifty to five hundred dollars of our money the 
gunsmith could afford quite a bit of experimenting. As a 
rule these were made in about a 56-caliber with 10-inch 


5 








BULLET HOLES 


barrels, smooth bore or rifled as desired, and would 
place three consecutive balls in a three-inch circle at ten 
paces. Quite accurate enough to remove duelling from the 
list of really safe sports. The accuracy decreased over this 
distance, however, as the square of the distance. 

The adoption of percussion caps in place of flint and steel 
ignition gave the art of pistol shooting a great impulse and 
it became one of the polite sports. The first match we can 
find on record is the one in 1860 between Capt. John 
Travers of Missouri and a gentleman whose name has not 
descended to posterity. In this match each gentleman 
fired one shot each at fifteen china plates nine inches in 
diameter, at a distance of 100 feet. Captain Travers 
scored 11 out of the possible 15, while his opponent, although 
shooting with great skill, (?) broke but nine. 

In 1865 W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and Capt. W. P. Schaaf 
came before the public as leading exponents of the art of 
hand arms. Somewhat later Captain Schaaf and Captain 
Travers joined forces and spent three years traveling the 
United States and giving pistol shooting exhibitions. We 
cannot ascertain what scores were made but judging from 
the china breaking episode no permanent records were 
established. 

1880 or thereabouts saw the rise of Ira Anson Paine as a 
marksman of note (you have heard of the Paine Target 
Sight; that’s his design). He became so expert with a pistol 
that he decided in 1881 to go over to Europe and give 
exhibitions there, shooting the Stevens pistol and using 
metallic ammunition. And metallic ammunition (Erst 
manufactured commercially by Smith & Wesson,) 
was what eventually brought pistols, and later, revolvers, 
into public notice as weapons of accuracy. 

While over there he decided to add revolver shooting to 
his exhibitions, and consulted Gastine Renette, the famous 
pistol manufacturer of France, as to the most accurate and 
reliable revolver on the market. Together they tested 
every revolver they could obtain, firing light and heavy 
charges, offhand and fixed rest—thousands upon thousands 
of shots—and the arm selected as being the most perfect of 
its kind in the world was the 44 Russian Model SMITH <5* 


6 






11 5-shot possibles made by the Springfield Revolver Club League Team 
in 1913-14 matches and a composite target of the 11. 
























BULLET HOLES 


WESSON . And this revolver in different calibers was used 
by Mr. Paine for all his shooting, both indoor and outdoor 
range, and stage work, till his death. Such good work was ac¬ 
complished with it that in 1882, in the presence of a notable 
assemblage, he was knighted by the King of Portugal 
and made a chevalier of an ancient military order. His 
skill was such that he was commonly supposed to resort 
to tricks to accomplish his results and many attempts 
were made to expose him. 

THE REVOLVER 

Shooting was now coming to the front as a sport, after a 
long period of oblivion. It is interesting to note that in the 
days of the muzzle loaders, pistol shooting was a polite 
sport, par excellence, but with the introduction of metallic 
ammunition it died out to a great extent, as everyone had 
taken up the revolver, and speed, not accuracy, was the 
aim. But by 1886, both pistol and revolver shooting had 
reached such a point of popularity that the National Rifle 
Association decided to include a revolver match among their 
events at Creedmoor. This match was a re-entry, five shots 
in a string, distance 25 yards, target, the Standard 200- 
yard rifle, three best targets to count. The winning total 
was made by C. E. Gillette with a Colt .45 Army Revolver 
and factory loaded ammunition, 143 out of a possible 150. 

Encouraged by the popularity of this match the Massa¬ 
chusetts Rifle Association scheduled an event for revolvers 
in their meet at Walnut Hill in the fall of the same year 
(1886) with similar conditions but the five best targets to 
count. In this match Chevalier Paine took part shooting his 
44 Russian Model SMITH <Sc WESSON. As this was a re¬ 
entry match we will give his three best five-shot targets 
to compare with the results at Creedmoor. Selecting the 
best three of the eight shot by the Chevalier we find his 
sixth target to be a possible 50, and two others of 49 each, 
making a total of 148 out of a possible 150—5 points better 
and within two points of the maximum. 

This gave a great impetus to the game, and after a short 
time the members of the Massachusetts Rifle Association 


8 






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BULLET HOLES 


proved that the 2 00-yard rifle target at 25 yards would 
allow too frequent possible scores so the distance was 
officially changed to 50 yards. 

We now arrive at a period of the most intense interest 
and rivalry in the revolver world. 

Chevalier Paine was the first to shoot a 100-shot string 
at the new distance. October 15, 1886, shooting his 44 
Russian SMITH Sc WESSON and factory loaded ammuni¬ 
tion, he scored 791 out of a possible 1000, thereby estab¬ 
lishing the first record under present conditions. 

November 20, 1886, Maj. C. C. Foster, going on record as 
attempting to beat the 791, shot 782 with a Colt 38 Double 
Action—9 points under. 

March 17, 1887, Paine, with the same weapon he used 
before, shot ten, ten-shot targets of 87, 72, 85, 86, 90, 79, 
86, 87, 82 and 87 or 841. His first string broke all 10-shot 
records, his fifth broke that (90) and his total of 841 was fifty 
points over his original record and fifty-nine more than had 
ever been secured by any other person in a 100-shot match. 

The 90 stood as a 10-shot record until May 21, 1887, 
when Mr. W. W. Bennett scored one point higher, securing 
a 91 with a 44 Russian Model SMITH Sc WESSON. 

November 4 of the same year, Mr. Bennett’s brother, 
Mr. F. E. Bennett, declared his intention of bettering the 
100-shot score and with his SMITH Sc WESSON secured a 
total of 857, a gain of 16 points. Ten days later he again 
shot, using the same arm with a resulting 877—20 points 
better than his own previous record. 

Again in the same month Mr. F. E. Bennett attempted 
to raise the score but managed to secure only 852. How¬ 
ever, his eighth target consisted of 10, 10, 10, 9, 9, 10, 9, 
10, 9, 9, a total of 95. Mr. Bennett now held the 10-shot 
and 100-shot records. 

On December 5, 1887, Mr. F. E. Bennett undertook to 
shoot 100 shots a day for six consecutive days with the 
intention of making each day 841 or better. In this 
attempt he failed, his scores being 886, 867, 832, 843, 868, 
876, but it will be noticed that his first score again raised 
the 100-shot record. Mr. Bennett used the 44 SMITH Sc 
WESSON. 


10 







'D 



* 














® ® ® BULLET HOLES ® ® ® ® 


This shooting attracted Paine’s attention and he attempt¬ 
ed to again raise the score. After a series of discussions 
with Messrs. Smith & Wesson, they turned out for the 
Chevalier a 44 Russian Model, chambered and rifled for a 
special 38 Caliber Shell. This arm was known as the 38/44 
and proved to be a fine target arm, used with the cartridge 
designed by him. 



The First S. & W. Exhibit was in Paris in 1867—Highest Award. 


On December 9th, Chevalier Paine secured with this arm 
878, and on the 13th, using his 44 SMITH & WESSON 
882; December 15th, 871 and finally on the 17th, two 
100-shot scores, the first 886, tying Mr. Bennett’s record; 
the second 888, establishing a new count two points ahead 
of any previous record—and also in the first string making 
a 96, one point above the 10-shot record. 


12 











BULLET HOLES 


Still believing that there was room for improvement the 
indefatigable Chevalier announced his intention of making 
a new high mark—and on December 22d at Providence, 
R. I., on the Narragansett Gun Club grounds in the 
presence of Mr. A. C. Gould, Editor of The Rifle (after¬ 
wards Shooting and Fishing) , made a 904, the first man 
to score over the 900 point—and raising the record 16 
points. He used his SMITH & WESSON. 

Mr. W. W. Bennett had been taking things easy while 
his brother held the record—in fact he repeatedly said that 
he would not attempt to improve it—but when he heard 
the noise of the Chevalier’s 904 on the 22d, he removed his 
coat, dusted his trusty 44 SMITH <5* WESSON and 
announced in cold icy tones that he was about to remove 
the laurels right off Ira’s head. On December 23, he got 
witnesses and shot 914—ten points over. 

On April 4, 1888, F. E. Bennett, shooting his 44 SMITH 
<5c WESSON with a light charge, in the Massachusetts 
Rifle Gallery, scored 100 out of a possible 100 at thirty 
yards on the standard American 50-yard revolver target. 

The see-sawing of the 100-shot record aroused such an 
intense interest among the public that a match between 
Mr. F. E. Bennett and Chevalier Ira Paine for $1,000 a 
side, the Championship of America (and therefore the 
world) was arranged, 100 shots a day for six successive 
days, standard American 50-yard revolver target. “Revol¬ 
vers to be the SMITH <Sc WESSON 44 Caliber Russian 
Model, with three-pound pull, and not over 6 1-2" 
barrel,” factory loaded ammunition, and shooting rules 
of the National Rifle Shooting Association to govern. 

Three of the 100-shot targets were completed in Spring- 
field, Mass., the scores being: 


Bennett 

Paine 

837 

867 

887 

879 

866 

860 

2590 

2606 


Paine leading at the end of the third day by 16 points. 

13 









BULLET HOLES 


Thursday, June 7, the match was shot in Providence, 
Bennett scoring 879 to Paine’s 872, leaving Paine a lead of 
but 9 points. 

At this stage of the match Paine protested the sights on 
Bennett’s arm and withdrew from the contest after Mr. 
Bennett had for the second time challenged the weight of 
the trigger pull of his opponent’s revolver and also ques¬ 
tioned the sights. This protest was not allowed and as 
Mr. Bennett had continued to shoot the required number 
of shots the match and the championship were awarded to 
him by the National Rifle Shooting Association, with an 
aggregate of 5093—an average of practically 85, which 
was good shooting. 

The next shooting of mark was done by Sergeant W. C. 
Johnston, Jr., of the Mass. National Guards, when on 
July 7, 1888, he made the first recorded possible 100 at 
fifty yards on a standard American target and in the 
presence of reputable witnesses, using the 44 SMITH Sc 
WESSON with full service black powder ammunition. He 
then succeeded in placing six more consecutive shots in 
the ten ring, a record of 160 out of a possible 160. This 
record has yet to be approached. The Sergeant said at 
the time that he was holding particularly well—and it 
is understood that even his best friends had to admit the 
apparent truth of his words. 

This fifty-yard work evidently put a decided damper on 
the aspirations of would-be champions—or at least “held 
’um for a while”—for the next feat of revolver shooting to 
be inscribed on the archives was in 1901, when on June 26, 
at Glendale Park, L. I., Dr. A. A. Weber, with a 38 
SMITH Sc wesson Military Revolver scored 790 out of 
a possible 1000 at 100 yards. 

It will be noticed that after the china plate match in 
1860, which was held in Missouri, the record making was 
being done in the New England states. This evidently 
was arousing the spirit of rivalry in the hearts of the 
western shooters, as we find in 1902, July 13, Mr. J. E. 
Gorman in San Francisco, girded his loins (no—re¬ 
volver shooters don’t gird their loins—the chances are 
that he laid down his cigar, wiped his hands on a dry cloth, 


14 






Philadelphia Police Team. 



Lieut. Hermann Thomas and his Smith & Wesson. 







BULLET HOLES 


took a deep breath and went to it). However, he fired 100 
shots at 50 yards under the proper record conditions at 
that time and secured: 

10 shots.100 

Tying our friend Sergeant Johnston’s 10-shot score. 

50 shots.475 

100 shots.924 

This 100-shot score raising the record set in 1887 by 10 
points. A good increase, but it took fifteen years to do it. 
Mr. Gorman used the SMITH Sc WESSON revolver in his 
shooting. 

The 20-yard shooting at this time was not nearly as 
hotly contested as the 50-yard. Most probably on account 
of the fact that the 20-yard ranges, being inclosed, were 
quite uncomfortable to shoot in after a few rounds of 
black powder had been fired. The records established 
were as follows: 

100 shot—W. E. Petty, New York, March 15, 1901 

908 

50 shot—R. H. Sayre, New York, February 14, 1898 

458 

10 shot—G. W. Waterhouse, Springfield, Mass., 
March 2, 1902 98 with 44 S. & W. 

The 50-shot 20-yard record stood till 1904, when Mr. 
S. L. Sears, in the U. S. R. A. Indoor match raised it 
20 points with his 44 smith Sc wesson Revolver. 


16 













esie 












BULLET HOLES 


THE PISTOL 

Ability to shoot straight with a pistol was conceded at an 
earlier date than it was with a revolver, as can be seen by 
the experience of Chevalier Paine, who only took up the 
revolver when he was already on a pistol shooting exhibi¬ 
tion tour of Europe. This was due to the design of the 
arm, the barrel, being much longer than that of a revolver. 

We find a 99 at fifty yards in 1890, made with a Stevens 
pistol, by E. J. Darlington and in the same year Mr. H. S. 
Harris equalled this score with the same make of arm. 
The same total at 20 yards with a Wurfflein pistol is to 
the credit of F. B. Crowninshield. 

In 1893 Smith & Wesson put upon the market their 
22 single shot pistol which at once sprang into popularity, 
its accuracy being enhanced by its beauty of design, work¬ 
manship and balance. 

We find the “Shooting and Fishing” pistol records for 
fifty yards to be as follows: 

100 shots—J. E. Gorman, May 26, 1901.942 

E. E. Partridge, March 1, 1902.942 

50 shots—Thomas Anderton, April 4, 1903.480 

10 shots—C. H. Taylor, Nov. 8, 1898.100 

Thomas Anderton, May 13, 1899.100 

These records do not show the arm used but as Mr. 
Gorman and Mr. Anderton both won the U. S. R. A. pistol 
matches in different years with the SMITH Sc WESSON 22, 
it is safe to assume their use in the above. Mr. Partridge 
designed the well-known Partridge sight for use on the 
SMITH Sc WESSON product, and Mr. Taylor was well 
known as a “gun crank” and ballistic expert. 

THE UNITED STATES REVOLVER ASSOCIATION 

All these records set forth up to this point were made 
prior to the adoption of certain rules and regulations 
governing record shooting by the United States Revolver 
Association. This association was formed in 1900 and was 
an outgrowth of the National Rifle Association, it being 


18 











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The Second S. & W. Exhibit was in Moscow in 1872—Highest Award. 










BULLET HOLES 


then felt that pistol and revolver shooting had developed 
sufficient public interest to warrant an independent organ¬ 
ization. Shoots were held in 1900, ’01, and ’02, but it was 
not until 1903 that the U. S. R. A. decided upon and pub¬ 
lished the regulations that would in future determine the 
legitimacy of record scores. Up to this time Mr. Gould 
of The Rifle (Shooting and Fishing now) had, prac¬ 
tically unaided and moved only by his keen desire to 
demonstrate the pistol, and more especially the revolver, 
as weapons of accuracy, kept the records and passed upon 
their right to be established and acknowledged as such. 
Upon the formation of the Revolver Association all his 
data was turned over to them and the records were known 
as “Shooting and Fishing” records. 

We find, however, that in 1903, upon establishing the 
record rules, the U. S. R. A. issued a pamphlet in which 
these rules were set forth; and in this pamphlet the revolver 
and pistol records here described were published, under 
this statement: “The following records, made on the 
Standard American target are recognized by the U. S. R. A.” 
(And this was a very pretty compliment to Mr. Gould if 
you stop to think about it.) 

Since the formation of the Association they have held 
two shoots annually, one of which is held in the summer and 
is known as the Outdoor Championships, the other the 
Indoor Championships. 

In the first mentioned there are four events. 

Match A. Shot with any revolver, any accepted form 
of sights, and any ammunition, 50 shots at fifty yards. 
This match has been shot up to date fifteen times and won 
nine times with the aid of SMITH <Sc WESSON Revolvers. 
Mr. Geo. Armstrong shooting a SMITH <3c WESSON and 
Mr. A. P. Lane shooting another make are tied for high 
string with 467. 

Match B. A pistol match, under same conditions as 
Match A. This has also been shot fifteen times—the 
winner in all cases shooting the SMITH <3c wesson 
This match has brought forth the keenest kind of rivalry, 
the high score being made in 1914, at the last shoot’; 

20 





BULLET HOLES 


= •——— : ... — . ~.=.— 

476, by Geo. Armstrong. A clear jump of seven points, 
from the next highest which was made in 1913. 

Match C is the Military Championship, shot at 25, 50, 
and 75 yards on the regulation 50-yard target. Five 
5-shot targets at each distance and a time limit of 15 
seconds for each string. Any military revolver, and full 
service ammunition. 




*1 


WELTAUSSTELLUNG 1873 IN WIEN. 

DIE INTERNATIONALE JURY 


SMITH & WESSON 

IN SPRINGFIELD. MASSACHUSETTS (VER. ST. V. NORDAMERIKA) 

DIE 

FORTSCHRITTS-MEDAILLE 

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83. 


The Third S. & W. Exhibit was in Vienna in 1873—Highest Award. 


There have been fifteen of these matches shot, the credit 
of winning eleven of them being shared by SMITH & 
WESSON. The high score was made in 1914 by C. M. 
McCutchen (627) with a 38 SMITH & WESSON Military. 

Match F has been shot but six times, starting in 1909. 
This match calls for five 5-shot strings, each string to be 


21 





















BULLET HOLES 


completed within thirty seconds. The arm to be any 
pocket revolver with a barrel not over four inches in 
length. This has been won four times with the help of a 
SMITH Sc WESSON. In 1914 the high mark of 214 was 
scored by Dr. J. H. Snook, improving the best previous by 
four points. 

The Indoor Championships have three matches, A, B, 
and F, the only difference being that they are shot at 
20 yards on the standard target for that distance. 

Match A has been contested for fourteen times and nine 
of these are to the credit of the men who pinned their faith 
on the SMITH Sc WESSON. 478 is the high mark, made 
in 1904 by Mr. S. E. Sears with his 44 SMITH Sc WESSON, 
and is, by the way, the only time the 470 mark has been 
reached, 469 being next high, made in 1913 by Mr. P. J. 
Dolfen with a 38 SMITH <Sc wesson Military. 

Match B has been shot fourteen times, in twelve of which 
the SMITH Sc wesson pistol aided. The score of 473, 
made by Mr. Geo. Armstrong with his 22 SMITH Sc 
wesson has yet to be beaten, nor has 470 been reached 
before or since. Mr. A. P. Lane, in 1912, pushed it hard 
with a 469 and in 1914 Dr. J. H. Snook scored 468, both 
using the 22 SMITH Sc WESSON. 

Match F, shows five straight victories for men shooting 
the SMITH Sc WESSON. In the last match, in 1914, Dr. 
Snook secured 213 for the match and record, a seven point 
increase. 


22 





200 yds. 500 YDS. 


Ten months’ work by Northcott of Chicago. All but a few of the rapid 
fire and rifle medal targets made with Smith & Wessons. 













































UNITED STATES REVOLVER 
ASSOCIATION RECORDS 


Obviously it is more difficult to shoot a high score in a 
match or in the presence of witnesses after having 
announced one’s intention of shooting to break existing 
records. 

To establish an Association record the weapon must 
conform in length, caliber, weight and trigger pull with 
U. S. R. A. rules. The time rate must be equivalent to 
that of the Championships of the same class. The score 
must be shot over a full length range, in the presence of 
witnesses familiar with the shooting rules and either in a 
U. S. R. A. match or after having publicly announced 
one’s intention to shoot for record. The witnesses must 
certify that all U. S. R. A. regulations governing record 
shooting have been complied with in the case of any score 
claimed as a record. 

Well authenticated high scores made under other condi¬ 
tions than the above are classed by the U. S. R. A. as 
“Meritorious Performances.” 


24 


<§> ® ® ® 


BULLET HOLES 


® ® ® 


U. S. R. A.—REVOLVER RECORDS 
50 Yards 


50 Shots 

May 26, 1903 
Sept. 7, 1904 
June 4, 1911 
Nov. 26, 1911 


J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal., 
Dr. I. R. Calkins, Springfield, Mass., 
J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal., 
John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y., 


.32-20 S. & W. 
94-91-88-90-95-: 458 
.44 S. & W. 
92-96-96-91-90-: 465 
.38 S. & W. 
91-93-93-94-96-: 467 
.38 S. & W. 
94.96-94-95-96-: 475 



Pan-American Championship Pistol Team. 

Lane Snook McCutchen Hanford Dietz 

Sayre 

The Smith & Wesson 22 Single-shot Pistol was used by the Pan-American champions. 


25 











BULLET HOLES 


30 Shots 

April 26, 1903 J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal., 
Sept. 7, 1914 Dr. I. R. Calkins, Springfield, Mass., 
Nov. 26, 1911 John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y., 


.32-20 S. & W. 

94-91-88-: 273 

.44 S. & W. 

92-96-96-: 284 
.38 S. & W. 

94-96-94-: 284 



SMITH & WESSON. 

SPRINGFIELD MASS 

SMITH AND WESSON REVOLVING PISTOLS 

UiUTil) a&Y/^'L'JiAL 

/>/ //'!/ ■///'////* u//A /Z* A/f /*y Z / //y?/11 

y y/y//>////9" 




CritTHH vti:oi .V^utl) ] 


The Fourth S. 85 W. Exhibit was at Philadelphia in 1876—Highest Award. 


20 Shots 

April 26, 1903 J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal., 
Sept. 7, 1904 Dr. I. R. Calkins, Springfield, Mass. 
Nov. 26, 1911 John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y., 
Oct. 3, 1913 A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y., 


.32-20 S. & W. 

94-91-: 185 
.44 S. & W. 

92-96-: 188 
.38 S. & W. 

94-96-: 190 

96-95-: 191 


26 







® ® <*> ® BULLET HOLES ® ® ® ® 


70 Shots 

Aug. —, 1903 A. L. Himmelwright, San Francisco, Cal., .44 S. & W. Score 93 

April 26, 1903 J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal., .32-20 S. & W. Score 94 

Oct. 3, 1913 A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y., Score 96 




Three consecutive targets by G. H. Chandler at 50 yards, Standard target 95-97-100. 

With a 22 Smith & Wesson Target Pistol. 


27 






BULLET HOLES 


In the Outdoor Championship of Sept. 1912, J. E. Gor¬ 
man of San Francisco, Cal., using a .38 SMITH <3c WESSON 
made a ten shot possible in the fourth string of his cham¬ 
pionship score, a highly meritorious performance but not 
technically a ten-shot record. 

50 Yards 


Military Revolver, Rapid Fire 


75 Shots, in strings of 5 shots in 15 seconds 


Sept. 16, 1904 Thomas Anderton, Creedmoor, N. Y., 
Sept. 20, 1910 W. H. Whigam, Chicago, Ill., 

Sept. 15, 1911 A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y., 

Sept. 30, 1912 J. H. Snook, Columbus, Ohio, 

Sept. 30, 1913 J. H. Snook, Columbus, Ohio, 

Oct. 16, 1914 C. M. McCutchen, Denver, Colo., 


.38 S. & W. Score 585 
Score 591 
.38 S. & W. Score 605 
Score 621 
Score 625 
.38 S. & W. Score 627 


50 Shots, in strings of 5 shots in 15 seconds 


Sept. 15, 1904 Thomas Anderton, Creedmoor, N. Y., 
Aug. 30, 1906 Capt. R. H. Sayre, New York, 

Sept. 20, 1910 W. H. Whigam, Chicago, Ill., 

Sept. 15, 1911 A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y., 

Sept. 30, 1912 J. H. Snook, Columbus, Ohio, 

Oct. 16, 1914 C. M. McCutchen, Denver, Colo., 


.38 S. & W. Score 375 
.38 S. 86 W. Score 392 
Score 400 
.38 S. 8& W. Score 402 
Score 419 
.38 S. 86 W. Score 421 


25 Shots, in strings of 5 shots in 15 seconds 


Aug. —, 1902 Thomas Anderton, Seagirt, N. J., 
Sept. 20, 1910 Samuel Peterson, Chicago, Ill., 
Sept. 30, 1913 C. M. McCutchen, Denver, Colo., 
Oct. 11, 1914 J. H. Snook, Columbus, Ohio, 


38 S. 86 W. Score 206 
38 S. 8& W. Score 215 
38 S. 86 W. Score 217 
Score 221 


20 Yards 

U. S. R. A. Revolver 


50 Shots 

Mar. 15, 1901 W. E. Petty, New York, N. Y., Score 439 

June 11, 1903 Dr. W. H. Luckett, New York, N. Y., .44 S. 8& W. Score 464 
Mar. 4, 1904 S. E. Sears, St. Louis, Mo., .44 S. 86 W. Score 478 


28 






BULLET HOLES 


30 Shots 

Mar. 15, 1901 John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y., 
Mar. 4, 1904 S. E. Sears, St. Louis, Mo., 

20 Shots 

Mar. 15, 1901 John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y., 
Mar. 4, 1904 S. E. Sears, St. Louis, Mo., 

10 Shots 

Mar. 15, 1901 John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y., 
June 11, 1904 J. B. Crabtree, Springfield, Mass., 
Nov. 15, 1907 C. C. Crossman, St. Louis, Mo., 


Score 278 
.44 S. & W. Score 287 


Score 184 
.44 S. 86 W. Score 191 


Score 96 
.38 S. 86 W. Score 98 
Score 100 



The Fifth S. & W. Exhibit was at Melbourne in 1880—Highest Award. 

29 





















BULLET HOLES 


U. S. R. A.—PISTOL RECORDS 
100 Shots at 50 Yards 

Pistol— George Armstrong 1914, 95, 98, 96, 92, 99, 94, 95, 93, 
99, 98: 959 .22 S. & W. 


50 Yards 

50 Shots 

Sept. 7, 1900 J. B. Crabtree, Seagirt, N. J., 

Aug. 30, 1901 Thomas Anderton, Seagirt, N. J., 

Aug. 29, 1902 Thomas Anderton, Seagirt, N. J., 

April 4, 1903 Thomas Anderton, Walnut Hill, Mass., 
(99-94-96-99-92) 


.22 S. & W. Score 427 
.22 S. & W. Score 453 
.22 S. & W. Score 463 
.22 S. & W. Score 480 


30 Shots 


Sept. 8, 1900 John A. Dietz, Seagirt, N. J., 

Aug. 30, 1901 Thomas Anderton, Seagirt, N. J., 

Aug. 29, 1902 Thomas Anderton, Seagirt, N. J., 

Mar. 21, 1903 E. E. Partridge, Walnut Hill, Mass., 
April 4, 1903 Thomas Anderton, Walnut Hill, Mass., 
Feb. 1, 1914 F. H. Dreher, Denver, Colo., 
(100-96-95) 


.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 


Score 254 
Score 268 
Score 275 
Score 287 
Score 289 
Score 291 


50 Yards 

20 Shots 

Sept. 7, 1900 J. B. Crabtree, Seagirt, N. J., 

Aug. 30, 1901 Thomas Anderton, Seagirt, N. J., 

Aug. 29, 1903 Thomas Anderton, Seagirt, N. J., 

Mar. 21, 1903 E. E. Partridge, Walnut Hill, Mass., 
April 4, 1903 Thomas Anderton, Walnut Hill, Mass., 
Feb. 1, 1914 F. H. Dreher, Denver, Colo., 

(100-96) 


.22 S. & W. Score 169 
.22 S. & W. Score 176 
.22 S. & W. Score 181 
.22 S. & W. Score 192 
.22 S. & W. Score 193 
.22 S. & W. Score 196 


10 Shots 


Sept. 8, 1900 John A. Dietz, Seagirt, N. J., 

Aug. 29, 1902 Thomas Anderton, Seagirt, N. J., 

Mar. 21, 1903 E. E. Partridge, Walnut Hill, Mass., 
April 4, 1903 Thomas Anderton, Walnut Hill, Mass., 
Feb. 1, 1914 F. H. Dreher, Denver, Colo., 


.22 S. & W. Score 85 
.22 S. & W. Score 95 
.22 S. & W. Score 96 
.22 S. & W. Score 99 
.22 S. & W. Score 100 


30 





BULLET HOLES 


50 Shots 


20 Yards 


Mar. 15, 1901 Capt. R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y., 
Mar. 14, 1902 Capt. R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y., 
Mar. —, 1903 Thomas Anderton, Boston, Mass., 
Mar. 25, 1908 L. R. Hatch, Portland, Me., 

Dec. 1, 1909 J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal., 
Mar. 25, 1911 George Armstrong, Seattle, Wash., 
Jan. 25, 1912 George Armstrong, Portland, Ore., 
Mar. 4, 1912 George Armstrong, Portland, Ore., 


.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 


Score 433 
Score 448 
Score 460 
Score 462 
Score 471 
Score 473 
Score 478 
Score 481 



Ten shots at 15 yards with a Smith & Wesson 38 H. E. 
Made by W. P. Northcott. 


30 Shots 


Mar. 15, 1901 J. A. Smith, New York, N. Y., 

Mar. —, 1903 Thomas Anderton, Boston, Mass., 
Mar. 20, 1908 Capt. R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y., 
Mar. 25, 1908 L. R. Hatch, Portland, Me., 

Dec. 1, 1909 J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal., 
Mar. 25, 1911 George Armstrong, Seattle, Wash., 
Jan. 25, 1912 George Armstrong, Portland, Ore., 
Mar. 4, 1912 George Armstrong, Portland, Ore., 


.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.38 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 
.22 S. & W. 


Score 268 
Score 276 
Score 278 
Score 279 
Score 283 
Score 284 
Score 287 
Score 292 


31 









BULLET HOLES 


20 Shots 


20 Yards 


Mar. 15, 1901 J. A. Smith, New York, N. Y., 
Mar. —, 1903 Thomas Anderton, Boston, Mass., 
Dec. 1, 1909 J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal., 
Jan. 25, 1912 George Armstrong, Portland, Ore., 
Mar. 4, 1912 George Armstrong, Portland, Ore., 


.22 S. & W. Score 183 
.22 S. & W. Score 189 
.22 S. & W. Score 192 
.22 S. & W. Score 193 
.22 S. & W. Score 195 



A 5-shot possible at 20 yards with a 38 H. E. 4-inch S. & W. 
By Lieut. Thomas of the Phila. Police. 


10 Shots 


Mar. 15, 1901 J. A. Smith, New York, N. Y., 

Mar. —, 1903 Thomas Anderton, Boston, Mass., 
Mar. 24, 1906 John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y., 
May 5, 1906 J. B. Crabtree, Springfield, Mass., 
May 18, 1908 F. L. Hayden, Portland, Me., 

Sept. 17, 1909 J. B. Crabtree, Springfield, Mass., 
May 20, 1910 A. M. Poindexter, Red Bank, N. J., 


.22 S. & W. Score 91 
.22 S. & W. Score 92 
.22 S. & W. Score 93 
.22 S. & W. Score 95 
.22 S. & W. Score 97 
.22 S. & W. Score 98 
.22 S. & W. Score 100 


32 













® ® ® <g> 


BULLET HOLES 


Possibles have been made in shooting for medal targets 
by Dr. D. A. Atkinson and F. H. Dreher. 

One of the best performances with a practical revolver 
is that of Oscar I. Olson, Duluth, Minn., who at Walnut 
Hill, June 30, 1903, using a SMITH & WESSON .38 caliber 
military revolver, fixed sights, four pound pull, full charge 
factory ammunition, scored 554 out of 600, beating twenty- 
nine other men, American and French, who used every 
refinement of arm or ammunition their individual taste 
suggested. 



The Sixth S. & W. Exhibition was at Paris in 1889—Highest Award. 

33 





























































BULLET HOLES 


THE INDOOR LEAGUE 

From the formation of the U. S. R. A. in 1900 the interest 
in target shooting with revolvers and pistols had increased 
to such an extent that by 1908 practically every large 
town had a Revolver Club and telegraph matches were 
being constantly arranged. About 1908, thanks to the 
energy and persistence of Editor Kahrs of Arms and the 
Man, a League was formed under the management of the 
U. S. R. A., which began operations in the season of 1909-10. 
This league was composed of fourteen clubs, from all over 
the United States, and each team shot a match with each 
of the others according to a schedule prepared by the 
U. S. R. A., and according to its rules and regulations. 

The first season the standing of the leaders was as 
follows: 


Springfield, Mass., 

Won 

12 

Lost 

1 

Golden Gate, San Francisco, 

Cal., “ 

12 

u 

1 

Manhattan, New York, 

u 

11 

u 

2 

St. Louis, Mo., 

u 

10 

u 

3 


Springfield being given the place of honor by virtue of a 
shoot-off at the end of the season, defeating Golden Gate 
by a narrow margin. 


The season of 1910-11 showed the following, with 
twenty-four teams competing: 


Springfield, Mass., 
Manhattan, New York, 
Portland, Ore., 

Boston, Mass., 

Newark, N. J., 


Won 22 Lost 1 

“ 21 “ 2 

“ 21 “2 
“ 19 “ 4 

“ 19 “ 4 


Again the places were established, with the exception of 
Springfield, by post-season shoot-offs. 


1911-12 with twenty-one clubs entered came to an end 
as follows: 


34 








oore 


i 








BULLET HOLES 


Portland, Ore., 

Springfield, Mass., 
Manhattan, New York, 
San Francisco, Cal., 
Federal, 


Won 20 Lost 0 
(The first clean sheet.) 
Won 19 Lost 1 

“ 19 “ 1 

“ 18 “ 2 

“ 15 “ 5 


Springfield obtaining second place by a shoot-off. 


1912-13 shows a new contestant heading the list of 
twenty-five entries: 

Spokane, Wash., Won 23 Lost 1 

Manhattan, New York, “ 23 “ 1 

Springfield, Mass., “ 22 “2 

Olympic, San Francisco, Cal., “ 22 “ 2 

Again places were decided by shoot-offs. 


1913-14, with twenty-three clubs constituting the 
League, ended with another new leader. 


Pittsburg, Pa., 

Won 23 

Lost 1 

Springfield, Mass., 

“ 22 

“ 2 

Olympic, San Francisco, Cal., 

“ 22 

“ 1 

Manhattan, New York, 

“ 20 

“ 4 

Spokane, Wash., 

“ 20 

“ 4 


Shoot-offs again being necessary for final placing. 


1914-15 has just come to a conclusion and shows the 
men from Springfield showing their regular form. 


Springfield, 

Olympic, 
Pittsburg 
Portland, Ore., 
Manhattan, 


Won 21 Lost 0 
(Second clean sheet) 
Won 19 Lost 2 
“ 18 “ 3 

“ 18 “ 3 

“ 17 “ 4 


Springfield winning its match from Olympic, 1143 to 1142. 

Dolfen shot in all the matches with the winning team and 
secured 235 2 8 - as an average throughout the season. 7 

36 















BULLET HOLES 


possible targets of 50 and 18 targets of 49 are among his 
collection, while the Springfield team, as a whole, accu¬ 
mulated 13 possibles and 28 49’s during the matches. 

Needless to mention, the club declared for the 
SMITH <3c WESSON not only on the team but among all 
the 75 members. 

An interesting fact in connection with the Springfield 
team is, that although in the same city as Smith & Wesson 
and although all members shoot the SMITH Sc WESSON 
arms, there is not one member of the League team who 
is in any way connected with the Smith & Wesson 
organization. 

It was after the close of the League season of 1913-14 
that an attempt was made to record the make of arms 
used throughout the League. 

Pittsburg, the winners, reported all members of the 
team but one using the smith Sc wesson. 

Springfield to a man pinned their faith, as always, on 
the SMITH Sc WESSON. 

The Olympic Club, who keep Springfield awake nights 
worrying about them, take Springfield’s tip and shoot the 
SMITH Sc WESSON. 



Five shots at 10 yards with a Smith & Wesson 38 H. E. revolver. 
Made by W. P. Northcott. 


38 




























BULLET HOLES 


And so it went; from all data possible to obtain, of the 
twenty-three teams entered, every man but seven uses 
the SMITH & WESSON. And that seven represented 
four different makes. 

LEAGUE RECORDS 
Team record, Pittsburg 1913-14, 1155. 

Individual, Dr. C. H. Wilson, Pittsburg, 1913-14, 245 
“ P. J. Dolfen, Springfield, 1914-15, 245 

Armstrong, Olympic, 1914-15, 246 

REGARDING ACCURACY 

At the time that SMITH Sc WESSON arms made their 
first appearance (1856) the matter of accuracy as applied 
to revolvers was considered absurd by the general public, but 
in spite of this opinion the SMITH Sc WESSON barrels and 
the SMITH Sc WESSON ammunition were both developed 
with accuracy as one of the prime features. And as each 
new model was produced and the barrel and ammunition 
worked up together the SMITH Sc WESSON system of 
rifling became a standard of accuracy. 

It must be borne in mind that all ammunition known as 
“Smith & Wesson” such as 38 S. & W. Special, 44 S. & W. 
Russian, or 32 S. & W., was designed in the Smith & 
Wesson plant, where metallic ammunition was first 
commercially manufactured and the dimensions and 
limits are the proven best. 

Following is a list showing the diameter of bullet required 
for best results: 


22 Single Shot requires a 

bullet 

of 226- 

1000 diameter 

22 Hand Ejection “ 

6 c 

66 

“ .226 

“ 

32 D. A. Revolver “ 

“ 

“ 

“ .313 

66 

32-20 

6 6 

66 

“ .3105 

6 6 

32-44 

“ 

“ 

“ .320 

66 

38 D. A. “ 

66 

66 

“ .360 

66 

38-44 

66 

66 

“ .360 

“ 

38 H. E. “ 

6 6 

6 6 

“ .357 

66 

44 D. A. “ 

“ 

66 

“ .430 

66 

44 H. E. “ 

6 6 

66 

“ .430 

66 

35 Automatic 

“ 

66 

“ .320 

66 


40 





BULLET HOLES 


It is an unfortunate fact that it at times happens that 
cartridges with small diameter bullets are put upon the 
market. This results most naturally in lack of accuracy 
and nine times out of ten the barrel is blamed. For this 
reason there have been made several special barrels by 
outside parties and these special barrels with smaller 
diameters will doubtless produce better results with un¬ 
dersized bullets than will the SMITH <3c WESSON barrel 
designed for the standard ammunition. 

We desire to impress upon the shooting world the 
all important fact that ammunition has standard and 
unchangeable dimensions just as much as arms, and 
that it is cheaper, easier, and more satisfactory to obtain 
ammunition of proper size than it is to change barrels 
to suit the ammunition. 


41 






The Springfield Revolver Club. 
Front row—1914-15 League Champions 










® ® ® ® BULLET HOLES ® ® ® 


INTERNATIONAL MATCHES 

In 1900 was held the first international pistol and revolver 
match. This was a contest conducted by the United States 
Revolver Association, between French and American teams 
of ten members each. The Frenchmen shot in Paris and the 
Americans did their shooting at Greenville, N. J., and the 
results were obtained by cable. By the terms of the match 
each man was to shoot thirty shots on the French target 
at sixteen meters and thirty shots on the standard American 
target at fifty yards. The Americans won on both targets 
and were victorious in the grand total by a margin of sixty- 
one points. 

In June, 1902, another match between France and the 
United States was held. This time the American marksmen 
used the Walnut Hill range near Boston. There were 
fifteen men on each team. The Americans again won by 
249 points. In both these matches most members of the 
American teams and many of the Frenchmen, used the 
SMITH Sc WESSON arm. 

In the Olympic games at London in 1908, the United 
States Revolver Association, after preliminary trials, 
selected a team which consisted of I. R. Calkins, Spring- 
field, Mass.; C. S. Axtell, Springfield, Mass.; J. A. Dietz, 
New York, N. Y.; J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal.; and 
R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y., Captain. The match was 
held on July 10th and 11th and resulted as follows: 

1st United States: 

J. E. Gorman 
I. R. Calkins. 

John A. Dietz 
C. S. Axtell. . 


2d Belgium.1863 

3d United Kingdom.1817 

4th France.1750 

5th Sweden.1732 

6th Holland.1637 

7th Greece.1576 


501 

473 

472 

468 


1914 


43 


















yl.P.Lane 





BULLET HOLES 


A number of the members of the foreign teams used the 
SMITH Sc WESSON arm, but in this contest the American 
team was the only one as such, using the SMITH Sc 
WESSON pistol. 

This advantage of possessing superior tools, however, 
was not to be long enjoyed. The next Olympic contest was 
held on July 2, 1912, at Stockholm in Sweden. On the 
American team were A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y.; H. E. 
Sears, Boston, Mass.; P. J. Dolfen, Springfield, Mass.; 
John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y.; and R. H. Sayre, New 
York, N. Y., Captain. 


The match resulted as follows: 


1st 

United States: 

A. P. Lane. 

.509 



H. E. Sears. 

.474 



P. J. Dolfen. 

.476 



J. A. Dietz. 

.466 

1916 

2d 

Sweden. 


.1849 

3d 

United Kingdom. 


.1804 

4th 

Russia. 


.1801 

5th 

Greece. 


.1731 


The victorious American team was again armed with 
Smith & Wessons, and besides a number of individual 
foreign shooters who used SMITH Sc WESSON pistols and 
revolvers, three other teams had followed the example set 
by the successful Americans four years before, and on this 
occasion used SMITH Sc WESSON pistols. Mr. Lane and 
Mr. Dolfen won the individual match with scores of 499 and 
474 respectively. 

In 1913 at Camp Perry there were held pistol and revolver 
contests between teams representing the United States and 
several South American organizations, to decide the Pan- 
American championship. The United States pistol team 
using the SMITH Sc WESSON , consisted of the following: 
Lane, Snook, McCutchen, Hanford and Dietz. They 
were successful in defeating all the other contestants, and 


45 



















<§> ® 


BULLET HOLES 




Parmly Hanford, using his SMITH Sc WESSON pistol, 
won individual honors, and consequently gained the title 
of Pan-American champion. 

The American revolver team was also successful. Our 
team consisted of the following: Roedder, Hanford, 
McCutchen, Snook and Dietz. Many of these visitors 
from South America, to which continent Smith & Wesson 
have been sending their arms, for many years, used 
SMITH Sc WESSON pistols and revolvers. 


46 





BULLET HOLES 


“THE REASON WHY” 

An investigation of the arms that were being used by the 
revolver and pistol shooting fraternity throughout the 
country with the idea of determining the most popular 
weapons and the reasons for their so being, was the com¬ 
pelling cause of this booklet. The accompanying data had 
in it so much of interest that it was included. With this 
in mind letters were sent to all members of the Indoor 
League who could be reached and also to shooters appear¬ 
ing in the 1914 Indoor Championships. A request was 
made for their preference in arms and for their photographs. 

On the following pages will be found quotations from 
responses to this letter, and the pictures will be noted 
before you reach this. It is to be understood that there 
was no attempt made to select only the expert shots for 
their opinions, for while it is always exceedingly gratifying 
to find an expert selecting the arm, in the interests of 
which this book is written, it does not signify that that 
expert has given one moment’s more thought or careful 
investigation to the selection of his arm than has the man 
who has entered the matches for the first time this year. 
In fact, the beginner has in all probability delved as deeply 
into present conditions as did the expert in making his 
selection years ago. 

And for that reason you will find the opinion of each 
man given due consideration, whether he be a winner of a 
championship or whether he be one of the pluggers who 
“won’t withdraw if I don’t get but two on the paper’’— 
and just in passing, it’s pretty safe to say that that kind 
generally finishes up by corralling a medal, even if it is a 
long time coming. 

The same thing holds good with the photographs pub¬ 
lished here. There was no attempt made to collect a 
galaxy of stars—not that we don’t like stars and a goodly 
number are here, but just to show some brother shooters 
who say “ We like this gun and we have the face to back it.’’ 


47 















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The Seventh S. & W. Exhibit was at Chicago in 1892—Highest Award 















































































BULLET HOLES 


“THE REASON WHY ” 

L. P. Castaldini of the Springfield, Mass., Club shoots 
“the S. & W. revolvers and pistols in all matches because, 
having tried several other makes, I have found that the 
S. & W. arms are the most accurate of all, and the action is 
the smoothest.” The 1913 Outdoor Pistol Match trophy 
is in Mr. Castaldini’s top bureau drawer. 

C. D. U. Hobbie, a trusted office holder, (being treasurer 
of the Citizens’ Club,) remarks that “the stocks of the 
S. & W. pistols fit his hand” and he uses this arm “because 
I can make better scores with it.” 

Comes R. S. McBean of the Dallas Club, with the forth¬ 
right statement that he shoots the S. & W. arms: “as they 
are the ones that suit me best.” 

Geo. Armstrong of the Olympic Club in San Francisco is 
too well known by the shooting world to need any intro¬ 
duction—but for the uninitiated we will state that he 
established the 50, 30 and 20 shot record for the pistol at 
20 yards. 

At that he was so dissatisfied with his work that he broke 
his own records in the 50-shot twice—and the same with 
the 30-shot. With the 20-shot he was fairly satisfied and 
improved his score only once. But why should he? 196 
out of a possible 200 is pretty fair. 

He states: “that all my records and matches have been 
shot with S. & W. revolvers or pistols. ‘The reason why’ 
is that there is none better on the market in my estimation.” 

The 1911 Pistol Match (Indoor) and 1911 Revolver 
(Outdoor) and 1914 Pistol (Outdoor) were tucked away 
by George. 

P. J. Dolfen of Springfield, Mass., blew into the club 
house one winter’s night in 1908 with a quiet smile and a 
22 single-shot rifle sawed down to a 10-inch barrel and a 
homemade pistol stock and asked if he could try pistol 
shooting. He could, and did. 

He nailed the grand prize in Match A indoor in 1913, 
shot with the Springfield League team from the beginning 


49 






,dl'3usA 










BULLET HOLES 


securing high average for the season in 1913, and shot on 
the American Olympic team at Stockholm—but not with 
his sawed off rifle—oh no! He shoots the S. & W. from 
soup to nuts. 

Pete has been offered good chances to shoot profes¬ 
sionally for another revolver company but he prefers to 
hold his regular job and shoot S. & W.’s for fun. 

From the Dallas, Texas, Club we hear from J. C. Gun¬ 
ning: “I get better results with it (the S. & W.) than with 
any other arm that I have ever used. The material and 
workmanship in them are first class, the action is smooth, 
they are accurate and are easy to keep in good condition.” 

Mr. Gunning is Lieutenant of Detectives and knows 
whereof he speaks. 

Herman Thomas is the shooting instructor of the Phila¬ 
delphia Police and instructs with such effectiveness that 
their team has beaten everything it can find and claims the 
police championship of the East—and stands ready at any 
time to demonstrate whereupon their claim is based. 

Mr. Thomas has three 22 S. & W. pistols that have been 
fired collectively at least 100,000 times and are just as 
good as ever. “All but two of the men on the team use 
S. & W. 32 H. E.’s with 4 1-4" barrels. One of the two 

men (he was low man on the team) used a-*, but 

intends to get a 32 S. & W. H. E. in the near future.” 

“The 38 S. & W. Special ’02 4" barrel is one of the finest 
shooting revolvers I ever had the pleasure to own. I’ve 
only had it a couple of months, and in addition to the 
5 shot possible, I have made a 95 at 20 yards in a team 
practice shoot.” 

Philadelphia is a bad town to try to shoot up, we take it. 

Dr. W. E. Quicksall of Philadelphia shoots on the team 
taking first place in Class C, using the 22 S. & W. Single 
Shot Pistol. In the championship matches 1914 Indoors, 
he used the 38 caliber S. & W. Revolver, capturing the 
place of honor in Match A. 

*Foiled again, didn't say what it was! 


51 






BULLET HOLES 


“In a way,” the doctor remarks, “it was partly chance 
that led me to use the S. & W. revolver, but now” (and we 
feel better) “I am thoroughly in love with it, and would 
not change for any other.” 





Ghr SILVER MEDAL <& DIPLOMA highest award 
is Kerebv awarded, on the recommendation of the 
FRANKLIN INSTITUTE 
of the State of Per\r\sylv«.r\isv. to 

SMITH & WESSON. 

Revolvers: 

For general excellence oi design and workmanship. 


The Eighth S. & W. Exhibit was in Philadelphia in 1899—Highest Award. 


Mr. W. P. Northcott, vice president of the Illinois State 
Revolver Association, is a man of many parts. A trap 
shooter of note, his attention was called to the possibilities 
of the revolver in 1913 and that winter he shot in the League 
Matches. The next spring he corralled all the first places 


52 























BULLET HOLES 


at the Sportmen’s Show in Chicago that weren’t nailed 
down with restrictions of a military nature. 

This gave Mr. Northcott a running start with the results 
that may be estimated by noting the cut of his medals. 
The two down in the righthand lower corner don’t count—he 
has been shooting the military rifle only a few minutes— 
give him a couple of weeks to practice up in. 

“With the exception of U. S. R. A. Outdoor Military 
Match and a few targets on the rapid fire medals, all shoot¬ 
ing was done with the S. & W. arms.” 

S. E. Hasler, Troop “D,” N. G. N. Y., in concise and 
soldierly manner states that he finds the 22 S. & W. Single 
Shot “a well balanced gun with a smooth even trigger 
pull.” 

Mr. W. O. Brown of the Youngstown Club, winner of 
second place in Ohio, states he has been shooting for about 
ten years, using during that period, about all of the makes 
manufactured in this country —but “In all my match 
shooting I have used the 22 S. & W. target pistol with 10" 
barrel, and believe that I owe what good fortune I have 
had to the accuracy and balance of the arm.” 

Mr. T. H. Clarke, another Youngstown Club shooter 
tells us that in the last three years he has shot numerous 
makes of. revolvers and found that he could make best 
scores with the Smith & Wesson arms. 

“I like them especially on account of their nice balance 
and grip. They fit the hand perfectly, which is a great aid 
in shooting.” 

A president of a club, a shooter, and a gunsmith of note, 
is Mr. J. E. Wilburn, of Spokane. Rifle barrels are his joy 
and delight, and after practicing on them for a while he 
began to build pistol barrels for himself and his friends. 
He says “there is, in my judgment, no other gun that has 
the beauty and finish outside and in, accurately inter¬ 
changeable parts, lock work finished and tempered to per¬ 
fection. They also hold better and come up to the line of 
eye and target better than any other American or European 

53 








W-& C J^roun 









BULLET HOLES 


gun. I have made many fine target rifle barrels in my 
life and think I am competent to judge. I find the revolver 
as accurate as a rifle.” 

We have had some very interesting correspondence with 
Mr. Wilburn and hold him to be extraordinarily well 
informed in the theory of firearms and above all, a prac¬ 
tical man. 

J. J. Kane of the Youngstown, Ohio, Club is of the 
Mahoning County Secret Service and carries an S. & W. 
38 H. E. on business, after trying out several other makes. 

When on pleasure bent an S. & W. 22 Single Shot or an 
S. & W. 38 H. E. Target revolver please him well—for, as 
he says: “I have used several makes of guns both in 
matches and in service, and have proved to my satisfac¬ 
tion that I can shoot more accurately with the Smith & 
Wesson guns.” 

Wesley H. Hubbard, of Portland, Oregon, has used all 
kinds of small arms for a matter of 30 years and “the 
Smith & Wesson has always been his favorite.” 

“I use it in matches on account of its nice balance, 
smooth action, fine finish, accuracy and reliability.” 

(That is his opinion after using it for only thirty years. 
When he has really tried it out he may like it even better.) 

The following letter from D. S. Williams, of Toronto, 
Canada, is interesting in that it clearly sets forth the abso¬ 
lute reliability of the Smith & Wesson arm: 

“I have shot one of your guns from the first of my 
revolver experience. I have a 38 Special which has been 
my constant companion, and has never played me false. 
I have carried this same gun through the Rocky Mountains 
many times; into the northern part of Ontario, and up the 
Althabasca, when it was almost impossible to carry other 
arms. And the pot was kept boiling with the same gun 
used in the matches this winter. 

“It is safe to say that if you hold an S. & W. ‘on’ you 
can make the big scores—and I am perfectly content and 
satisfied with the service it gives.” 


55 








BULLET HOLES 


Mr. H. L. Reeves, of the Philadelphia Club, shot the 
22 Single Shot Smith & Wesson during the matches “on 
account of their accuracy—in addition to the other fine 
qualities, especially the ease with which same is balanced in 
aiming.” 

H. M. Hollis of Rochester, N. Y., the Citizens’ Rifle and 
Revolver Club, is quite favorably impressed with the 
Smith & Wesson. In fact, he goes so far as to say that he 
believes “without question, the S. & W. has the smoothest 
action, the finest balance, and is the most accurate revolver 
of any I have ever used.” 

And this is after he has during his experience “shot 
nearly all reliable makes of revolvers.” 

A. H. Kenan of Cincinnati has been shooting the Smith 
& Wesson pistol for a matter of a few months but in that 
time has annexed the 2 5-shot 60-foot gallery record for 
Cincinnati and vicinity with 234 x 250 and the 50-shot 
score of 456 x 500. He reports himself as “more than 
pleased with the wonderful accuracy of the 22 Single Shot 
Perfected Pistol.” 

He also uses one of the S. & W. 44 Russian Model 
Revolvers which he “finds to be extremely accurate, with 
workmanship and material perfect.” 

C. S. Axtell is the Grand Old Man of the “game.” 
Breaking into the ranks of the expert shooters in the days 
of the great Ira A. Paine—always shooting consistently, 
winning the certificate of marksmanship from the competing 
world at Bisley, England, in 1900—shooting on the winning 
international team for the United States with Winans, 
Gorman, Dietz, Sayre, Le Boutillier and Tayntor—and 
holding his place on the Springfield League team until 
illness interfered with his wonderful nerves and physique. 
“Charlie” Axtell is the past master of revolver shooting. 

From such a man as he the following letter carries great 
weight and it is reproduced in whole. 

“Previous to the great Paine and Bennett match, in 
1888, I had learned enough of shooting in general to know 
that the best shooters used the best arms. 


56 





J.C.Gunning 











BULLET HOLES 




“As both Paine and Bennett used Smith & Wesson 
revolvers I came to the conclusion that there were none 
better or these experts would have used them in this match. 
This was my reasoning when I selected a Smith & Wesson 
for my first target revolver. 

“Since that time I have had exceptional opportunities 
for learning the revolver for myself, but have yet to learn 
any good reason for using any others. Aside from the 
general graceful lines, hand, and excellent trigger pull, 
which appeal to all, from tyro to expert, the alignment of 
cylinder and barrel, and the locking device by which this 



REFVBL1QVE FRANQA1 


The Ninth S. & W. Exhibit was in Paris in 1900—Highest Award. 

58 















BULLET HOLES 


alignment is maintained indefinitely, is the feature I most 
appreciate. Without this perfect alignment real accuracy 
could not be expected, however perfect the barrel and 
ammunition might be. 

“I have done much experimental shooting in which the 
human element was entirely eliminated. With proper 
ammunition I have made groups and series of groups which 
left little to be desired in the matter of accuracy. 

“While the above applies to target revolvers, I wish to 
add that I have at times been particularly interested in the 
pocket and police sizes, and have found in experimental and 
off-hand shooting, surprising accuracy and power in these 
small arms. 

“In all the Smith & Wesson models, which I have used, 
I have found the qualities which make for maintained 
accuracy and power. 

“I still have my first Smith & Wesson target revolver, 
purchased in 1889, and with the exception of the loss of a 
little outside finish is as good as ever, although thousands 
of shots have been fired from it.” 

Mr. M. S. Tod, who shot with the Youngstown team, was 
asked why he used the S. & W. Pistol in the matches. 
“Please don’t ask such damn fool questions; your gun is 
the best, and you know it.” We are inclined to agree 
with Mr. Tod. 

Mr. C. A. Diller, winning a place in the Ohio State 
Championships, expresses himself as “very much pleased 
with the 22 Smith & Wesson Single Shot, and also the 38 
S. & W. Military and Police Revolver.” What appeals to 
him most strongly from the shooter’s viewpoint “aside 
from the accuracy, is the regular trigger pull which materi¬ 
ally aids in fine shooting.” 

A. L. Brush took down the Connecticut State Champion¬ 
ship Match G, Indoor 1914, with a 22 S. & W. Single Shot. 
His choice of arms was due to the fact that “its perfect 
balance and extreme accuracy made a combination not 
found in any other American arm of like character.” 


59 






® ® ® ® BULLET HOLES ® ® ® ® 


(As the foreign shooters of note use the S. & W. almost 
to a man, we feel no sense of chagrin. ) 

He adds that “the workmanship is of the highest order.” 

Wm. F. Blasse shot on the Olympic League team—and 
was in mighty fast company—and took second place in the 
novice match in the U. S. R. A. indoor championships in 
1914. He shot the Smith & Wesson because he “has been 
unable to find any better.” (If we keep our health and 
spirits he never will be.) 





R&PVBL 1 QVEFRA.NQA 13 E 


MINISTER DU COMMEHCfc DE L IHDD3TIUS D£S POSTES CT DCS TtL£<5HAPHES 

POSITION UNIVEifSELLE DE tg<! 

It INTERN ATI ON AL MS $£€0M ?£*$££ 

WKCK^NK t\ .ilinows 1>R 


* \U«Hun SMITH rt 4 Snimmu, 


Giohpe VI. — Classe 28. 


The Ninth S. & W. Exhibit at Paris in 1900—A special award for 
excellency of finish. 


60 

















BULLET HOLES 


“I have been shooting your revolvers and pistols for 
more than a quarter of a century—from a 22 caliber tip up 
to a 44 Russian model, and have every confidence in them, 
which is probably the reason I keep buying more—ten 
having found their way into my cabinet. 

“The accuracy and wearing qualities of the Smith & 
Wesson cannot be surpassed.” 

So writes E. S. Beardslee of New York, winner of the 
U. S. R. A. State Indoor Championship in Match G in 
1914. He shot the Smith & Wesson because he “couldn’t 
find a better one.” 

T. C. Beal of Pittsburg shot the 38 Smith & Wesson 
Special in the U. S. R. A. Indoor Matches. “One of the 
first in Pittsburg and consider it the best brand to use.” 

Unfortunately he did not own a pistol of the same brand 
and “didn’t make the League team once because he had 
a*-. ‘Nufced.’” 

Next year he will shoot a 22 S. S. Smith & Wesson, 
he says. 

Of the Osborne Club is J. L. Bateman. In the matches he 
used the Smith & Wesson “because it seemed to be the stan¬ 
dard among the other, and more experienced, participants.” 

That was when he started—after he got right into the 
game—“As far as balance, accuracy, easiness to handle, 
with reference to the mechanism, etc., are concerned, it 
suits me as well as any pistol could.” 

Mr. A. E. Forester’s experience in revolver shooting has 
extended over several years, and in that time he has used 
all kinds of revolvers. He now uses the Smith & Wesson. 
“In shooting other revolvers of good makes I have found 
that the cylinder does not always register with the barrel, 
and the pawl does not enter the slot in the cylinder as it 
should do. In the S. & W. I have never seen the pawl fail 
to enter its slot and I have always found their action to 
be smoother. 

♦Deleted by Censor. 


61 











BULLET HOLES 


“In my estimation the whole finish of the complete arm 
is far superior to any other that has come to my notice or 
been in my possession. As secretary of my club I have 
been in a good position to observe the shooting qualities as 
well as the stability of the various makes.” 

Lieut. W. D. Frazer at Fort Williams, Maine, uses the 
S. & W. Target Pistol in his matches because he believes 
them to be “the best medium priced target pistol on the 
market today, and has always obtained from them satis¬ 
factory results.” 

After making for himself a pair of special stocks (men’s 
hands are different) he has “nothing but good recom¬ 
mendations for it.” 

If he was to spend a lot of money he might just possibly 
get a better one, but we don’t know where—we’re on the 
lookout. 

Secretary Kiemle of the Manito Club of Spokane uses 
the S. & W. because “it hits where you hold it, is easily 
adjusted and easily cared for.” 

If you take twice to think that over, is there any other 
earthly reason that amounts to shucks? 

From Panama writes O. J. Lindo with clearness and 
decision that the Smith & Wesson is to the best of his 
knowledge and belief “the best that can be had for money.” 

He furthermore states that in the past days of unenlight¬ 
ened darkness he shot another make of arm (no, we didn’t 
say what) but when he joined the ranks—all the Ancon 
Pistol and Rifle Club members, at Ancon, Canal Zone, 
Republic of Panama, own S. & W.’s—his shooting per¬ 
centage improved 20%. 

Target shooting has always been A. T. MacElwee’s, 
of Portland, Maine, hobby and he has ridden it with many 
different makes and models of arms, and assures us that he 
is strictly within the bounds of truth when he asserts that 
not a revolver that he has used “holds” as well as the 
Smith & Wesson. 


62 







The American Olympic Team. 

On the way to Stockholm—A group of Smith & Wesson shooters. 










BULLET HOLES 


“It is wrongly believed by most people that if a man is 
a good shot he can use any make of gun and still hold his 
record. In my opinion the S. & W. increases my shooting 
efficiency 10%. ” 

Mr. J. D. Miner of the Spokane Club has gone into the 
details of the game and uses the Smith & Wesson because 
“he believed it the best he could procure.” He feels that 



The Tenth S. fit W. Exhibit was at Buffalo in 1901 — Highest Award. 
Making a complete record of ten exhibits at international expositions and 
ten highest awards. 


64 











BULLET HOLES 


its value has been enhanced by work done upon it in the 
line of a special barrel—but you know how we feel about 
that. 

St. Louis, Mo., Colonial Revolver Club is the stamping 
ground of M. R. Moore who shoots the S. & W. “for a 
number of reasons—but mainly because I have never been 
able to obtain as good results with any other arm.” 

He adds that he may be prejudiced in its favor (hope he 
is) on account of the fact that for the last ten years he has 
been doing his indoor shooting with the S. & W. 

Dr. Moore was the first to raise above the 200 mark in 
the Indoor Match F when he captured the Championship 
in 1910 with a 32 S. & W. 

Fred Kuist shoots with the Manito Club in the League 
matches, and has the ability to compass a whole volume of 
thought in much less than a page of words. 

“The reason I am using a Smith & Wesson is—because 
I’m a gun crank.” 

R. J. Mullikin of Baltimore, Md., shot the 22 S. S. Per. 
S. & W. in the Indoor Matches as he considers it “the 
best, most reliable, and accurate pistol made” and “when 
properly held (aye—there’s the rub) will always deliver 
the goods.” 

Another Colonial Club man, the St. Louis organization, 
is Mr. Geo. C. Olcott, who uses the S. & W. arms “exclu¬ 
sively, on account of their extreme accuracy and dependa¬ 
bility. Confidence in arms and ammunition is a great 
factor in match shooting, and no doubt can exist on the 
arm when it is a Smith & Wesson.” 

Mr. H. S. Olson of Pittsburg has shot many different 
makes of pistols and revolvers in the last fifteen years and 
during that time has shot in all kinds of matches. Several 
first and second places are to his credit, and shooting with 
the Pittsburg League team in 1912-T3 scored 236 out 
of a possible 250, tying his 236 of the season before. 


65 







a 



ever 















BULLET HOLES 


And he “finds the S. & W. pistols and revolvers to be 
the best.” They seem to give him “a feeling of confidence, 
(they give him something all right) and I advise my 
friends to buy the S. & W.” 

Mr. Francis O’Neill of Denver, Col., used three other 
makes of pistols before finally deciding upon the S. & W. 
as the arm of accuracy. 

“I am firmly convinced there is no other gun which so 
fully meets all the demands of a particular shooter, as the 
S. & W.” (This corroborates our findings to a marked 
extent.) 

After trying out all the makes of pistols he could get 
hold of, Mr. R. P. Patterson, who is a Captain, Third 
Infantry, M. N. G., by the way, pinned his faith on the 
S. & W. as being “the only one that can be depended upon 
to deliver the bullet where I call for it.’’ 

“The reason I use the S. & W. weapon in the pistol 
matches is because there is absolutely no other arm which 
compares with it in accuracy, finish or workmanship.’’ 

So writes Mr. R. P. Prentys who shoots with the Olympic 
Club in San Francisco and who, therefore, is in a position 
to see pistol shooting at its highest development for they 
are sure a bunch of fast shooters out there. 

M. F. Kane, Youngstown, Ohio, shot a Smith & Wesson 
in his matches for a very good reason as can be seen by his 
statement: “My preference for a Smith & Wesson revolver, 
which I used during the recent revolver matches, is the 
result of a series of trials given the various makes and 
finding none to equal the Smith & Wesson for accuracy. 

“I might add that I regard the S. & W. 22 10" pistol 
and the Smith & Wesson 38 Special to be almost mechani¬ 
cally perfect.” 

Mr. E. J. Prpehl of Portsmouth, N. H., Revolver Club, is 
one of those gun cranks who take enough interest in the 
sport to work out the details to their own satisfaction. 

67 


















BULLET HOLES 


“I find the S. & W. 10-inch Target Pistol the one best 
adapted to target work and after changing the grips to a 
pair of my design the gun balances perfectly.” 

R. G. Robinson of Springfield, Mass., uses the S. & W. 
in his matches. “After trying out two other makes of 
guns find nothing to compare with the S. & W. for accuracy 
in shooting and workmanship.” 

The secretary of the Spokane, Washington, Rifle and 
Revolver Club, L. B. Rush, where all the league shooters 
use the S. & W., writes as follows: “I consider the S. & W. 
pistol to have the best finish, and action, of any I have 
used. Our club in 1912-T3 tied for first place in the 
League matches, and in 1914 won first place in division B. 
We attribute our success largely to the use of barrels made 
by our president, J. E. Wilburn.” We once more respect¬ 
fully refer you to our ideas on this matter. 

“The S. & W. Revolvers feel and fit in a ‘thoroughbred’ 
way, and are built with that high grade workmanship 
which makes the finished product a pleasure to own and 
operate. The accuracy is conceded to be all that anyone 
could ask for,” writes R. J. Russel of St. Louis. 

Mr. Russel’s one regret is that his ability doesn’t 
allow him to shoot up to the capabilities of the arm. 

That would be going some. 

James Seaborn, Youngstown, Ohio, shot the Smith & 
Wesson pistol in the recent matches because he “considers 
them the best on the market.” He says so and others 
seem to agree with him. We do. 

Doctor W. B. Russell of Springfield, Mass., took up 
shooting but a short while ago. Not wishing to waste 
time in experimenting he “consulted with a number of 
expert shots as to what they considered the most dependable 
gun for fine work, and without exception they favored the 
S. & W.” 


69 







BULLET HOLES 





Chief J. F. Ryan of the North Tonawanda, N. Y., police 
force has “carried the S. & W. for twenty-five years and 
upward and has never found them wanting.” 

That would give time for a really deliberate opinion to 
be formed. 

Mr. C. D. Scott of the Dallas, Texas, Revolver Club, 
shot the S. & W. 22 Pistol in the League matches—as did 
all the others of that team, and writes that he is “very 
glad indeed to say a good word for the S. & W.” 

The accuracy and smooth pull pleased him well. 

“Supreme workmanship, finish, accuracy, smoothness of 
trigger pull, manner of locking the cylinder in the Hand 
Ejector Models, general design, and excellence of sights on 
the target model” are a few of the salient points of the 
S. & W. that appeal to Mr. F. C. Sherman of the Citizens’ 
Rifle and Revolver Club of Rochester, N. Y. 

There are doubtless a few more things he likes about 
them but we won’t be too inquisitive. 

Another Citizens’ Rifle and Revolver Club man is L. F. 
Sherman who shoots the S. & W. in the matches, and feels 
that their “general efficiency, accuracy, smoothness of 
operation, balance, grip and beauty of design unite to 
form an ideal firearm.” 

It does listen like one. 

“It gives me great pleasure to inform you that I have 
used your revolvers for at least forty years, and I have yet 
to see one of them that was of inferior workmanship, or 
that would not shoot accurately. 

“What I have said about the revolver, I can also say 
about the pistol, and it is for these reasons that I have 
used one or the other, in all the matches that I have taken 
part in during the last twenty years. 

“I will add in closing, that had I known in the early 
years that one of your 38 or 44 caliber revolvers fitted with 
target sights, would shoot equally as well with either 
gallery loads or full service ammunition, I should have 


70 







, JamesL ‘Ba/enum 










BULLET HOLES 


used one very much more than I did. A more general 
dissemination of this knowledge, together with minute 
directions for reloading the different ammunition, would 
add greatly, in my opinion, to the popularity of the different 
models. 

Very respectfully, 

Walter A. Smith, 

Lt. Col. M. V. M. 


Springfield, Mass. 


This report is accepted with no objections or corrections. 


D. H. Stafford of Brattleboro, Vt., has shot his S. & W. 
for over eight years and clings to it because he is convinced 
“no other make will do finer shooting.” 


E. H. Thomas has been shooting master of the Myles 
Standish Rifle Club of Portland, Maine, for two seasons 
past and has kept a close eye on the different arms used 
and the work done and he finds that “sooner or later the 
majority of the men come to rely on the S. & W. arm. It 
can not be beaten for accuracy, simplicity, and is very 
easy to keep cleaned and oiled.” 

From Springfield, Mass., Capt. F. A. Wakefield of the 
Ordnance Department writes to say:— 

“I can imagine only one reason for using the Smith & 
Wesson arms for competitive work, particularly match 
shooting. It is, the desire to be equipped with the best 
possible tools, in doing a particularly important job. With 
a Smith & Wesson gun I have always felt that it was 
impossible for any fellow shooter to be better equipped, 
and this feeling of confidence goes far toward producing 
winning scores. 

“I suppose too there is something in the pride of posses¬ 
sion, which makes a man feel better with a fine watch in 
his pocket than with a cheaper one. In a continuous and 
somewhat varied experience with firearms of all kinds, 
both in official and private capacities, I have learned that 
in a firearm, like any other tool, quality counts. To take 
off the side plate of a Smith & Wesson revolver of any 

72 




BULLET HOLES 


model, new or old, is to get a liberal education in fine 
workmanship. Weapons so made are bound to deliver the 
goods with unvarying satisfaction. 

“I have shot and shall continue to shoot S. & W. guns 
for the perfect pleasure and complete satisfaction which 
I have always experienced in so doing.” 

At the Seventh Regiment Armory in New York, Thomas 
Anderton, between giving lessons on how not to shoot one’s 
self, to the officers of the Regiment, has found time to state, 
“That I do not use, nor will I ever use anything but Smith 
& Wesson revolvers and pistols for my target shooting. On 
just one occasion I was induced to try another make of 
revolver and”- But that is a story you will have to get 
from Tom, or perhaps you could get a little light should you 
search the bottom of the Creek at Seagirt. Anderton is 
not contented with the load of medals he now staggers 
under, received in this country and abroad, and is again 
oiling up his collection of S. & W’s. and states that he is 
going out after ’em in the fall. 

One of the best known shooters today is A. P. Lane. 
Lane has won so many championships that he needs a book 
all his own to enumerate them all. Suffice to say, however, 
that he obtained the highest individual score at the Olympic 
games at Stockholm in 1912, and consequently, was gen¬ 
erally conceded the World’s championship. Mr. Lane has 
selected for his pistol a Smith & Wesson for which he has 
had constructed a special barrel. He has tried various 
revolvers and can shoot well with any of them, but at 
present he is shooting only Smith & Wessons. 

John A. Dietz is known (and liked, too) by everybody in 
the shooting fraternity. He has received all kinds of medals 
in this country and abroad and his name appears with 
deadly regularity in the U. S. R. A. records. Dietz is a 
ballistic expert himself and owns a complete Armory of 
pistols and revolvers. He informs us, however, that at 
present he is shooting only Smith & Wessons. One of the 
best bits of shooting Dietz ever did, was on June 29, 1913, 
at the Cypress Hills Club where, in the presence of wit- 


73 







BULLET HOLES 


nesses, though not shooting for a record, Dietz at fifty 
yards made a score of 482. Needless to say he used his 
Smith & Wesson. 

Colonel A. P. Sherwood, Commissioner of the Dominion 
Police of Canada, President of the Canadian Revolver 
Association and many times revolver champion of Canada, 
states that he has done all his best shooting with Smith & 
Wessons and knows of nothing better. “When I partici¬ 
pated in Revolver shooting and competed in matches I 
found I obtained in matches the best results with your 
weapons, and, therefore, always used them in important 
matches.” 

Captain William A. Jones of the New York Police De¬ 
partment is one of the best known pistol experts in the 
country. It is by means of his testimony on many occasions 
that prosecuting attorneys have been able to convict guilty 
parties in homicide cases. Captain Jones informs us that 
many bullets bear the marks of defects in the rifling or the 
construction of the revolver from which the shot is fired, 
in the same way that defects in typewritten letters betray 
the machine upon which the letter was written. But the 
bullet from a Smith & Wesson is always characterized by 
the marks of perfect rifling and an absence of all signs of 
deformation due to imperfect alignment, etc. 

Captain Jones is now coaching a revolver team which 
the New York Police Department has entered in the police 
team championships. The Captain is an excellent shot 
and uses only Smith & Wesson revolvers and pistols him¬ 
self, and his example has been followed by the team he is 
instructing. 


Parmly Hanford gets most of his practice these days in 
protecting the prize chickens on his farm, from four-legged 
marauders of the kind which frequent the fields and woods 
of Kinderhook, New York. He uses Smith & Wesson 
pistols and revolvers entirely, because, he states, “They 
are the best.” He was national outdoor pistol champion 

74 
















BULLET HOLES 


in 1907 and 1911 and received the grand aggregate medal in 
1912 and tied Gorman in 1908 with a score of 468:—Gorman 
winning the shoot-off. In 1912 at Camp Perry he obtained 
the highest score in shooting on the United States team for 
the Pan-American championship. 

Major Gustavo Rodriguez of the Cuban Army, advises 
us that he has recently been assigned the duty of testing 
Smith & Wesson Military revolvers for the Cuban Govern¬ 
ment. He is an excellent shot himself, but is most effective 
at long range shooting. After firing fifteen hundred rounds 
with an S. & W. 45 caliber Military revolver, he informs us 
that “he considers this revolver to be the best in the world.” 


76 





BULLET HOLES 


AND FINALLY 

96.9% of the League shooters used the SMITH <3c 
WESSON Every one of the forty-eight pistol records 
established in the U. S. R. A. has been with a SMITH <Sc 
WESSON. 

Twenty-seven of the forty U. S. R. A. revolver records 
were made with the SMITH <5c WESSON. 

Five out of the nine present revolver records are held 
by shooters of the smith < 5 < WESSON. 

Every member of the Club winning the League matches 
for three seasons uses the smith <s< wesson. 

And moreover, after a most minute test, during which 
six SMITH <Sc WESSON revolvers, selected at random, 
were taken completely down, the parts thoroughly mixed 
together and the six revolvers reassembled without trouble, 
the British War Office has declared them to be the most 
perfect revolver in the world and of faultless design and 
construction. 


77 






® ® ® ® BULLET HOLES ® @ ® ® 




W. LL. Lawrence (Leo. L/.CLancL/er 


Two Artists with the 35 S. & W. Automatic. 

During business hours Mr. Lawrence develops models of firearms and 
Mr. Chandler makes targets, revolvers and pistols. After hours they burn 
powder and boost Smith 86 Wesson. 


78 















BULLET HOLES 


JUST A WORD ABOUT THE AUTOMATIC 


While target shooting is being discussed the matter of 
the automatic pistol is one that has to be brought up. 

Smith & Wesson after many years of experimenting, 
produced and put upon the market a 35 caliber automatic 
pistol with a 3§ -inch barrel—not, of course, as a target arm 
but just as an automatic, pure and simple. The boys at 
the Springfield Revolver Club got hold of it and after a few 
minutes declared it to be a winner for close shooting, 
and proceeded to produce really attractive targets with 
the little snub-nosed gun that would bear comparison with 
any—not only at twenty but at fifty yards as well. 

Of course the fact that the barrel is secured solidly to the 
frame, the ammunition was designed in the Smith & 
Wesson plant, and the bullet has a lead base which takes 
and fills the rifling perfectly, all contribute to the sur¬ 
prising accuracy of this little arm. 



79 









target with a 35 Cal S. & W. Automatic. 

































































































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